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Prospect Report: Frederic, Studnicka Start Fast

Young forwards begin season on right foot

BOSTON - The youth movement is underway in Boston, but fans may not have to wait too long to see even more young reinforcements. With a litany of prospects scattered across North America and Europe, this year's infusion of youth may only be the beginning.

Here's a look at how some of Boston's prospects have fared so far:

EARLY STANDOUTS

Trent Frederic - Wisconsin, NCAA

As 2016 first-round selection Charlie McAvoy continues to play heavy minutes on the Bruins blue line, many may forget that he was not the only first-rounder for the Bruins in that draft. With a pick acquired as part of a trade with San Jose, the Bruins also drafted burly center Trent Frederic at No. 29.

During his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin, the St. Louis native posted 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points, and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the year. Frederic was the first Wisconsin Badger to win the award since Dany Heatley in 2000.

Frederic, listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, showed off his budding skillset against Ohio State on Oct. 6, when the sophomore fired a blistering shot from the high slot to score his first of the season.

"Obviously time will tell as he turns to pro hockey as to what he'll be," Bruins Player Development Coordinator Jamie Langenbrunner said at this summer's Development Camp. "But there's more skill to his game than I think a lot of people thought coming out of the draft."

Jack Studnicka - Oshawa, OHL

The Bruins second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft surpassed expectations during Bruins Rookie Camp. Studnicka was then given an opportunity to compete with the full Bruins contingent in training camp.

Providence Bruins Head Coach Jay Leach liked what he saw from Studnicka.

"He is a smart, heady player who can make those plays," said Leach. "It might be a quicker learning curve for him".

After a promising second season with the OHL's Oshawa Generals (18-34-52), Studnicka was named team captain for the 2017-18 season. The 18-year-old is off to an impressive start, notching two goals and seven assists through six games.

Providence Bruins - AHL

After the Bruins hosted one of the most competitive training camps in recent memory, there were a number of players with NHL-experience sent to Providence to continue and battle for a promotion.

The early results are promising, as the Providence Bruins dismantled the Springfield Thunderbirds 5-2 in the season opener.

Peter Cehlarik and Jacob Forsbacka Karlsson led the P-Bruins, each notching a goal and an assist against the Thunderbirds. Both were expected to make runs at the open spots on the Bruins roster, which were eventually filled by Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork.

Cehlarik, who appeared in 11 games with the Bruins last season, was held out for the majority of training camp with a shoulder injury. As he returns to full-strength, he has the ability to fill in for the Bruins at a moments notice.

Forsbacka Karlsson, who made his NHL-debut at end of the 2016-17 regular season, was one of the last cuts at this year's training camp and is known for his two-way play.

The P-Bruins also received goals from Tommy Cross, Ryan Fitzgerald, and 2015 first-round pick Zach Senyshyn. Kenny Agostino and Jordan Szwarz each had two assists.